Friday homily: God shows compassion for each of us and all humanity; he sent his son to heal, regenerate, and renew the human race. In the Prodigal Son parable, when the father, the figure of a forgiving God, sees his son, he feels compassion. God’s compassion isn’t about pity. I can feel pity for a dying dog, but God’s compassion is empathizing with another's problem or situation.

Jesus healed people but isn't a healer. No; he healed as a sign of God’s compassion, to save people, to bring back the lost sheep. God loves each of us like a Father. And he forgives like a Father, not a court official who reads a verdict. He forgives from his heart because he loves.

Jesus was sent to bring good news, to free the oppressed, and to enter each of us, to free us from our sins and evil. A priest feels empathy towards others and becomes involved in people's life, like Jesus. We criticize priests who aren't interested in what's happening to those in their congregation, who don’t care about them; they're not good priests! A good priest gets involved in human problems.

To Christian Union of Italian Business Executives: Your emphasis on Christian formation and training, mainly through deepening of Church social teaching, is noble. Keep balance between work and family life. A company and executive office can become places of holiness, through commitment to build fraternal relations, co-responsibility, and collaboration in the common interest.

The call to be missionaries in the complex world of labor, economics, and business involves being open and close to diverse situations such as poverty. Women in the workplace face special challenges; how often is one let go because she's pregnant?

Put the Jubilee of Mercy into practice by increasing sharing and solidarity. Direct economic activity in service of people and the common good. Cooperate to grow an entrepreneurial spirit of subsidiarity, deal with ethical challenges, and create good employment opportunities. Engage together; it'll bear fruit to the extent that the Gospel is alive in your hearts, minds, and actions.

Rom 11:1-2a, 11-12, 25-29Has God rejected his people? No! Through their transgression, salvation has come to the Gentiles. A hardening has come upon Israel in part, until the Gentiles come in; thus all Israel will be saved. God's gifts and call are irrevocable.

Ps 94:12-13a, 14-15, 17-18"The Lord will not abandon his people." Blessed those you teach by your law, Lord. The Lord won't cast off his people; judgment shall be with justice, and the upright shall follow it. Lord, your mercy sustains me.

Lk 14:1, 7-11On a sabbath Jesus dined at a Pharisee's home, and they observed him carefully. “Don't recline in the place of honor; the host may ask you to yield your spot to a more distinguished guest, and you'd be embarrassed. No; take the lowest place, so the host will say, ‘Friend, move up higher,’ and you'll enjoy your companions' esteem. Everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, but the one who humbles himself will be exalted.”

Reflect

Creighton: The Chosen People awaited their Messiah's coming, but they weren't all ready when Christ came. Jesus saw how they did everything for show and judged others, blind to their self-satisfaction and hunger for status. His suggestion to start humbly upsets the convention. His suggestion is ironic, unlikely to lead his hearers to change heart. But if one passes from literal to figurative (humility as starting point for honor in God's Kingdom), the door of transformation opens. There one finds the meek, the pure, and honor from service.

One Bread One Body: "Trying every possible means": "God attached so much importance to salvation that he didn't spare his own son. Nor does he cease to work, trying every means until he's raised us to himself" (St. John Chrysostom). The Lord uses every means to call us; e.g., through the Jews' "transgression salvation has come to the Gentiles." Because the Lord wants all saved, he wants to bring us to conversion through everything in our lives. List 3 significant events of this week. Ask the Spirit to show you how God is using them to lead you to deeper conversion....

Passionist: Today's psalm, "The Lord will not cast off his people" / "Your mercy sustains me," echoes Paul's "Has God rejected his people? No!" / "God's call and gifts are irrevocable." By humbling/emptying yourself, you become more open to God’s call; God has room to fill you! What do I need to let go of?

DailyScripture.net: "He who exalts himself will be humbled": Jesus reinforces Proverbs: "Don't put yourself forward... or stand in the place of the great; for it's better to be told, 'Come up here,' than to be put lower." Humility isn't feeling bad about yourself, or thinking yourself inferior; it doesn't focus attention on yourself but frees you from preoccupation with yourself. Humility is truth in self-understanding and action. Viewing ourselves truthfully is seeing ourselves the way God sees us. Humility frees us to be our true selves without despair or pride; the humble don't have to wear masks and aren't swayed by fame, reputation, success, or failure. Humility is the foundation of the other virtues because it enables us to view ourselves correctly; it leads to self-knowledge, honesty, realism, strength, and dedication to something greater than ourselves and frees us to love and serve others for their sake, rather than our own....

Archbishop Oscar Romero’s life was taken violently, while he was celebrating the Eucharist, supreme sacrifice of love, sealing with his blood the announcement of the Gospel. Today the blood of many Christian martyrs is still being shed, but with the certain hope that it will bear fruit in a harvest of holiness, justice, reconciliation, and love for God. No one is born a martyr; it's a grace the Lord gives. Archbishop Romero himself said, "We must be willing to die for our faith, even if the Lord does not give us the honor.”

The martyr isn't an image to adorn our churches and remember with nostalgia, but rather a brother or sister who accompanies us in the communion of saints, and, united to Christ, doesn't ignore our pilgrimage, sufferings, or agonies. People like Archbishop Romero are a treasure and hope for the Church and society.

The upcoming Jubilee of Mercy, and the example shown by Romero for his nation is a stimulus for a renewed proclamation of the Gospel. God's people still face difficult tasks and need the evangelizing announcement of the Gospel to promote justice, peace, and reconciliation.

Rom 9:1-5I have great sorrow and anguish in my heart. I wish I were cut off from Christ for the sake of my own people, the children of Israel; theirs the adoption, glory, covenants, giving of the law, worship, promises, and patriarchs, and from them is the Christ.

Ps 147:12-15, 19-20"Praise the Lord, Jerusalem." He has strengthened your gates, blessed your children, granted you peace, filled you with wheat, and proclaimed his word.

Lk 14:1-6On a sabbath Jesus went to dine at a Pharisee's home where there was a man suffering from dropsy. Jesus asked, “Is it lawful to cure on the sabbath or not?” He healed and dismissed the man, then said, “If your son falls into a cistern, who wouldn't pull him out on the sabbath?” They couldn't answer.

Reflect

Creighton: "Compassion, mercy, and the law": The Pharisees in Jesus’s time numbered about 6,000; they saw themselves as religious paragons and were self-appointed guardians of the Law. At dinner they had Jesus under “hostile observation,” suggesting he was invited in order to be ambushed. The circumstances are set with a man with 'dropsy' (pulmonary edema, fluid in the lungs, making breathing difficult). Imagine the Lord gazing at him, then asking, “Is it lawful to heal on the Sabbath or not?”, then answering by healing him. Now the Pharisees are trapped, not Jesus: If they say yes, they'd seem lax in their interpretation of the law, bad examples of strict observance; if no, they feared being accused of cruelty to the man (vs. Jesus' compassion). They were frozen in legalism. Compassion transcends and fulfills the law. We must pray and work for the suffering; we need to see with the compassionate eye of Jesus and help with his merciful hand. Today’s gospel doesn’t ask whether something is legal; it urges us to love, care, and show mercy.

One Bread One Body: "Painful love": Paul suffered greatly, largely due to his own people's hatred, but he loved the Jewish people. When your enemies try to put you through hell, do you love them, so much that you'd do anything for them? Jesus, Paul, and Christians have had the grace to love enemies. The Lord commands us to do so and gives us the power. Be like God: love those who have hurt you.

DailyScripture.net: "They were watching Jesus": The Pharisees were convinced Jesus was a Sabbath-breaker. You'd think the 7 gospel-recorded healings on the Sabbath would garner admiration and gratitude, but they incited hostility. The Pharisees invited Jesus to dinner on the Sabbath, after he'd broken their Sabbath rules; they were "watching" him, likely hoping to discredit him. The man with dropsy was likely there because homes were open, people dropped in, it was considered uncharitable to exclude beggars, and rabbis (expected to say a few words) drew crowds wherever they went. Jesus shows the law of love, good, and healing supersedes the law of rest....

God’s love for us is unwavering; no person, power, or thing can separate us from it. Paul explains Christians are victors because “if God is for us, who can be against us.” We hold this gift and can almost say, “now we are the champions!” But we're victors not because we hold it but because “nothing can separate us from God’s love....”

We're so closely bound to God’s love that no one, nothing can separate us from it. Paul saw beyond the gift to the Giver of re-creation and regeneration in Christ; he saw God’s inexplicable love. We can refuse it by preferring vanity, pride, or sin, but God’s gift is always there for us. We say, "God can do everything!", but he can't sever himself from us! The gospel image of Jesus weeping over Jerusalem helps us understand that love. His weeping is about his inability to not love.

Jesus’ weeping over those who kill prophets and those who announce salvation is an image of God’s love and tenderness: “How I've longed to gather your children, but you refused!” That's why Paul can say, “Neither death, life, angels, principalities, anything in existence or to come, powers, nor created things can come between us and God's love.” God can't not love us! This is our safeguard. I can refuse that love. The Good Thief did till the end of his life, but the love was waiting for him there. God loves the most wicked person with a father's tenderness. All of God’s love is contained in Jesus' weeping over Jerusalem. God weeps for me when I move away from him. God weeps for people who do bad things and cause harm. He's waiting and weeping, not condemning, because he loves us!

Rom 8:31b-39If God is for us, who can be against us? If he gave his Son, won't he give us everything else too? Who will condemn us--God? Christ? What will separate us from Christ's love: distress, peril? No; we super-conquer through him. Neither death, life, angels, present or future things, powers, nor creatures can separate us from God's love in Christ.

I love the first reading! I remember it from a college campus ministry retreat, I keep returning to it, I was blessed to take a course in Romans from Fr. Dan Harrington, S.J., and the passage remains a consolation in hard times. Here's an exegesis of it and homily based on it that I prepared then.

Creighton: Fr. Gregory Boyle, SJ, after burying 50 youths killed from gang warfare, decided to go onto the streets to know the gang-bangers and help them get jobs. Early on, he said his secret was "showing up and learning names." Paul writes, “Nothing can separate us from God's love.” May we help others discover that no matter what, God is not separated from us.

Passionist: We can't be separated from God's love. We can, however, ignore it and pretend we're not connected with God ("You were unwilling"). If we choose to affirm and accept God’s love, we must reject the divisive nature of our times. We are one with God and each other. Negative comments about others, support for violence, absence of compassion, cursory judgments, and bigotry are choices for separation and against unity with God’s love.

DailyScripture.net: "Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!" When King Herod heard thousands were coming to Jesus, he decided it was time he was a threat to be eliminated. When Pharisees warned Jesus to flee, Jesus warned them they were in more danger if they refused to listen to God and the prophets. The fox, regarded as sly and destructive, was a symbol of what's worthless, insignificant, and destructive. Jesus knew he'd suffer the fate of the prophets for opposing Herod, but he exposed himself to that danger and prayed for his persecutors and for those who rejected the prophets.

Jesus contrasts his desire for Jerusalem with their lack of desire for him as their Messiah and with a hen gathering her chicks. ("Under his wings you'll find refuge.") Jesus set his face toward Jerusalem, knowing he'd meet betrayal, rejection, and death, but his death brought victory and salvation. Jesus' prophecy pointing to his victory and foretells the destruction of Jerusalem and the consequences for all who reject him....

Eph 2:19-22 You're no longer strangers and sojourners but fellow citizens, members of God's household, with Christ as capstone. Through him the structure grows into a temple; in him you're being built into a dwelling place of God.

Ps 19:2-5 "Their message goes out through all the earth." The heavens declare God's glory.

Lk 6:12-16 Jesus spent the night in prayer, then called his 12 'Apostles': Simon whom he named Peter, Andrew, James, John, Philip, Bartholomew, Matthew, Thomas, James, Simon (called a Zealot), Judas, and Judas Iscariot, who became a traitor.

Reflect

Creighton: Jesus prayed for guidance as he chose the Apostles. Do I get impatient with prayer and discernment before decisions? Am I biased, or not invested, or stuck? Lord, give me faith in the process of making good decisions, patience with discerning your will, and detachment from whatever pulls me farther from you.

One Bread One Body: "A foundational teaching": Jesus never offered the "Me 'n' God" option (e.g. without Church/community). Jesus laid the Church's foundation on the apostles, and "no one can lay a foundation other than the one that has been laid, namely Jesus Christ." We need to make our home solid, built on the Rock. We're "living stones" on this foundation to form the Church, which endures because of its foundation, not because of faulty stones. Build your life on the Rock, Jesus, and the foundation he laid.

Passionist: Simon and Jude were disciples of Jesus who shared a missionary journey to—and martyrdom in–Persia, where faith in Christ remains a risk and martyrs are a contemporary witness. As fellow citizens and members of God's household, we're called to emulate Simon and Jude and all the saints. The danger of our martyrdom may be low, but we're asked to endure other sufferings for the gospel such as ridicule and disdain. We're called to be the face of Jesus in a world injustice, violence, and suffering are pervasive. We're asked to live as a follower of Christ in a culture often counter to the gospel. Jesus gives us an example of how to combat the sins of indifference in society and even our churches: in preparing to name the apostles, he stops to pray. We don't always give God what he deserves....

DailyScripture.net: "Jesus chose twelve apostles": Jesus chose twelve ordinary people to be his friends and apostles. Jesus wanted people who could take an assignment and do it well. When the Lord calls us to serve, we must not shrink because we don't think we have enough to offer. The Lord uses what we have for greatness in his kingdom. Jesus offers freedom to all who seek him with faith. Do I respond to Jesus with faith and trust?

Rom 8:18-25Today's sufferings are nothing compared with glory to be revealed. Creation eagerly awaits the freedom of God's children. We groan as we wait in hope for adoption, redemption. If we hope, we wait with endurance.

Lk 13:18-21“God's Kingdom is like a mustard seed that became a large bush birds dwelt in; it's like yeast mixed with flour till all the dough was leavened.”

Reflect

Creighton: Today’s readings focus on hope and faith. I can’t imagine a day without relying on God who provides my hope and faith. Paul reminds us that this world's sufferings pale in comparison to future glory. What we endure will seem so small in the light of the reward. We await creation's being set free to share in the freedom of God's children. Hope is looking forward with belief and conviction; it's closely connected with trust. Christian hope is rooted in faith in salvation in Christ. The psalm echoes this hope and trust. Every seed is planted in the hope it'll grow. Jesus offers two analogies for the Kingdom: yeast and mustard seed. As yeast leavens bread and increases its size, the Kingdom will expand us beyond what we can imagine. The mustard seed is small, but its bush is impressively large. "Hope is the ability to hear the music of the future. Faith is the courage to dance to it today" (Kuzmic).

Passionist: Fr. Pennington's centering prayer workshop transformed my prayer and changed my life. I came to realize the goal of prayer wasn’t gleaning insights, realigning my moral attitude, or attaining a peaceful state; it was just being with God. We can avoid prayer simply because of a faulty notion of what prayer is supposed to be. Paul tells us that our groaning, disillusionment, fuzzy thinking, tears, and frustrated hopes can all be prayer. How liberating to realize I don’t have to have answers. If I'm confident of God’s presence, I can leave my prayer open-ended, and the Spirit helps in my weakness.

DailyScripture.net: "What God's kingdom is like": The mustard seed grows to a tree that attracts birds because they love its seeds. Similarly, God's kingdom starts small in receptive hearts, works unseen, and transforms. As leaven (with heat) transforms dough to wholesome bread, staple of life, God's kingdom transforms those who receive new life in Christ. When we yield, the Spirit transforms us.

Synod closing address: The Synod wasn't about settling the issues, but rather seeing them in the light of the Gospel and Church tradition and history, bringing hope, seeing family difficulties in the light of the Faith, confronting them, urging appreciation of marriage and family, listening, showing the Church's vitality in lively discussions, interpreting realities through God's eyes, kindling faith, enlightening hearts, bearing witness to the living Gospel, baring closed hearts that may even hide behind Church teaching and judge, showing the Church as of the poor in spirit and redeemed sinners, and opening horizons to defend and spread true freedom.

The opinions expressed led to lively dialogue and showed a Church that draws living waters to refresh hearts. We've seen that what seems normal for one bishop may be considered almost scandalous for a one from another place; what's considered a rights violation in one society is an inviolable rule elsewhere. Each general principle needs to be inculturated to be respected and applied. Inculturation transforms values through their integration in Christianity and helps Christianity take root in human cultures; it doesn't weaken values but demonstrates their strength and authenticity.

Our challenge is to proclaim the Gospel to the people of today, and to defend the family. We sought to embrace God's goodness and mercy. True defenders of doctrine uphold its spirit, people; and God's love and forgiveness. God treats us according to his boundless Mercy. Laws and commandments were made for people, not vice versa. Repentance, works, and efforts are a response to the One who loved and saved us. We must proclaim God’s mercy and call to conversion, and lead everyone to salvation.

"Each of our sins kindles in him more intense love, a desire to bring us back… God shows himself to be infinitely good, in himself and for us. He loves, seeks, knows, touches, and waits for us. He'll be delighted when we return and ask forgiveness.” “The Church lives an authentic life when she proclaims mercy… and brings people close to the Savior’s mercy.” “Mercy is indeed the nucleus of the Gospel… May all we say and do manifest God's mercy.”

“Family” has a new resonance, evoking the richness of the family’s vocation. To conclude the Synod is to return to “journeying together,” to bring the light of the Gospel, the Church's embrace, and God's mercy to everyone everywhere!

Rom 8:12-17We're not debtors to the flesh; if you live according to the flesh, you die, but if you put deeds of the body to death by the spirit, you live. Those led by the Spirit of God are God's children. You received a spirit of adoption, through which we cry, “Papa!” The Spirit bears witness that we're heirs of God, joint heirs with Christ, if we suffer with and are glorified with him.

Ps 68:2, 4, 6-7ab, 20-21"Our God is the God of salvation." God arises; his enemies are scattered, but the just rejoice. God, father of orphans and defender of widows, gives the forsaken a home. The Lord, our salvation, bears our burdens and controls death's passageways.

Lk 13:10-17On the sabbath a crippled woman was bent over. Jesus called to her: “You're set free of your infirmity.” He laid hands on her, and she stood and glorified God. Synagogue leader to crowd, “Don't come on the sabbath to be cured.” Jesus: “Hypocrites! Don't you untie your ox on the sabbath? Shouldn't this daughter of Abraham, bound for 18 years, have been set free on the sabbath?” His adversaries were humiliated; and the crowd rejoiced at the splendid deeds he did.

Reflect

Creighton: "How do you keep score?" Ignatius of Loyola's twice daily examen may be one of the most tried and true ways to let the Spirit guide our lives, finding time to be silent and take stock of our acts or omissions, to address times we lived by the flesh and take pride in times we “lived by the Spirit....

One Bread One Body: "With the suffering Jesus": Jesus is with us and we with Him; we're co-heirs "if only we suffer with him." Jesus wants to remove many, but not all, sufferings from our lives. He frees people who have been in bondage, drained of strength, and badly stooped. His heart is moved with pity for us. Be healed of many sufferings, and also choose to suffer in the pattern of Jesus' death. Choose persecution and rejection for the Gospel, and other sacrifices; you're not alone....

Passionist: The Law and rules–like what's permitted on the sabbath–give structure to this synagogue leader, but Jesus disrupts his world view. I too get upset when others don't play by the rules, when people scam the system for their benefit. The danger is that I begin to think the world is made in my image and that others should conform to my world view. I too need Jesus to upturn my life to remind me that I'm made in God's likeness.

DailyScripture.net: "Freedom from bondage for 18 years": What keeps me bound up? Jesus demonstrates God's power and authority in releasing people oppressed by sickness, weakness, sin, or harassment. The leaders were indignant that Jesus would cure on the Sabbath; they were so caught up in their observance that they lost sight of God's mercy. God never rests from showing mercy and love....

Angelus: Jeremiah tells of the Lord’s promise to deliver and restore his people; I've confronted this prophecy with images of refugees. God tells them, "I'll lead you back amid consolations." Those families most suffering, uprooted from their land, were with us in the Synod too: in our prayers and work, through the voice of some of their pastors present. These people in search of dignity and peace remain with us; the Church doesn't abandon them, for God wants to lead them to freedom.

Today's gospel dramatizes need for us to make sure our desires are ordered to Christ, and then approach him confidently with humility and ask him, mindful of all he's done for us, and desirous of sharing the Good News with those who need it. Follow the path the Lord desires. Ask him to heal and save us. Don't let yourself be tarnished by pessimism or sin, but seek God's glory...

Synod closing Mass homily: Today's readings show God’s compassion and fatherhood, revealed in Jesus. In a national disaster, Jeremiah proclaims “the Lord saved his people.” Why? Because he's their Father and takes care of and accompanies his children, sustaining “the blind and lame, women with child and in labor.” His fatherhood opens up a path, a way of consolation. If they remain faithful, God will change their captivity to freedom, their solitude into communion: what they sow in tears, they'll reap in joy. A believer is someone who has experienced God’s saving action.

The 2nd reading shows Jesus’ compassion. Beset with weakness, he feels compassion for those in ignorance and error. Jesus is the great high priest, holy and innocent, but also the high priest who's taken on our weakness and been tempted like us; he's the mediator of the covenant that saves us.

As the Israelites were freed thanks to God’s fatherhood, so too Bartimaeus is freed thanks to Jesus’ compassion. Jesus responds to his cry; he's moved and becomes involved in his situation. He's not content to offer alms but rather wants to encounter him, asking, “What do you want me to do for you?” With this question, he shows he wants to hear our needs, to talk with us about our lives, our situations. After Bartimaeus’ healing, the Lord tells him: “Your faith made you well.” He admires Bartimaeus’ faith, his confidence in Jesus. He believes in us more than we do.

Jesus asks his disciples to call Bartimaeus. They address him with two expressions: “Take heart!” (literally, “have faith, strong courage!”) Only an encounter with Jesus gives you strength to face difficult situations. And “Rise!”, as Jesus said to many of the sick. Jesus' disciples repeat his words and lead Bartimaeus to Jesus. We're called to this today: to bring people into contact with the compassionate, saving Mercy. When humanity’s cry becomes strong, we must make Jesus’ words ours and imitate his heart. Suffering and conflict are for God occasions of mercy. Today is a time of mercy!

There are temptations for Jesus' followers: None of the disciples stopped; they went on as if nothing was happening. Bartimaeus was blind, but they were deaf; his problem wasn't their problem. The danger is moving on instead of letting ourselves be bothered, being with Jesus but not thinking like him, without an open heart, losing wonder, gratitude, and enthusiasm, risking becoming unmoved by grace, speaking about and working for him, but far from his heart, which is reaching out to the wounded. The temptation is a “spirituality of illusion”: seeing what we want instead of what's real, developing our world view instead of accepting what the Lord shows us. A faith not rooted in people's lives is arid and creates more deserts.

Another temptation is “scheduled faith,” walking with God's People but according to my plans; you must respect my rhythm, and every problem is a bother. We risk becoming the “many” of the Gospel who lose patience with Bartimaeus. A short time before, they scolded the children, and now the blind beggar: whoever bothers us is excluded. But Jesus wants to include, above all those kept on the fringes who are crying out to him. They too have faith, because knowing you need salvation is the best way of encountering Jesus.

Bartimaeus not only gains his sight; he also follows Jesus on his path. Let us too follow the path the Lord desires....

Jer 31:7-9Shout with joy; the Lord has delivered his people. I'll bring them back, gather them from the ends of the world, with the blind, lame, mothers, and those with child; they'll return. They departed in tears, but I'll console and lead them....

Ps 126:1-6 "The Lord has done great things for us; we are filled with joy." When the Lord brought back the captives, we were like dreamers; then we rejoiced. Those who sow in tears shall reap rejoicing. They go forth weeping but will come back rejoicing....

Heb 5:1-6Every high priest is a person representing people before God, able to deal patiently with the ignorant and erring because they're weak themselves. Only those God calls take on this honor. Similarly, Christ didn't glorify himself in becoming high priest: "You are my son; today I've begotten you...."

Mk 10:46-52Blind Bartimaeus, begging by the roadside, heard Jesus and cried out, "Son of David, have pity on me." Many told him to shut up, but he kept calling out. Jesus: "Call him." They called him: "Take courage; Jesus is calling you." Jesus / Bartimaeus: "What do you want me to do for you?" / "Master, I want to see." / "Go; your faith has saved you." He received his sight and followed him.

Reflect

Creighton: Imagine Bartimaeus calling out to Jesus, Jesus' invitation to him, the faith he demonstrates, and his joy at receiving sight. Do I enthusiastically ask Jesus' help? When I am blind to the graces God has given to me? Am I open to God’s guidance?

One Bread One Body: "Blind faith": Bartimaeus expressed his faith vocally, publicly, and repeatedly. When a blind man throws away his cloak, he better be healed, or he may never find his cloak. Bartimaeus expressed faith by fearlessly coming to Jesus, accepting him as Teacher, and becoming his disciple. To please God, we must live in faith....

Passionist: Mark situates the "Blind Bartimaeus" miracle in Jericho, the city of the Good Samaritan, 20 miles from Jerusalem. It's the last miracle outside Jerusalem, before Jesus enters into his Passion. It's both a “call story” and “miracle story.” Bartimaeus cries out: “Son of David, have mercy on me!” Perhaps the crowds try to silence him because “Son of David” had political overtones. After he receives his sight, Jesus tells him to go, but he follows Jesus “on the way” to Jerusalem, to the Cross. We can be called at any moment. Let's seize, embrace, and examine our encounters with God; they change us and enable us to follow Jesus to the Cross and ultimately Resurrection.

DailyScripture.net: "What do you want me to do for you?" Bartimaeus was determined to get near the one person who could meet his need, but he had no way till now. It took guts and persistence for him to get Jesus' attention over the din. Maybe the crowd tried to quiet him because he was disturbing them and interrupting Jesus' discourse, but persistence paid off. Jesus opened his eyes and welcomed him into his company. Jesus chose action over talk; he commends him for his faith and grants him physical sight too. Do I recognize my need for God's healing and do I seek Jesus out with persistent faith?